Is Acure baby SPF 30 Sunscreen Safe?

June 7, 2017

Summer is here and it’s time to hit the beach!

Many moms are concerned about finding the “best” sunscreen for their babes but truth be told, the best sun protection for our little ones can be found in clothing (think rash guards and bucket hats). I’m all for getting a healthy dose of Vitamin D (and then covering up) but sun damage and skin cancer is very real to me. I’ve had to have pre-cancerous cells removed and my father has needed several cancerous patches of skin removed.

Tonight I’m looking over Acure baby SPF 30 Sunscreen lotion. So let’s get to it because childhood sunburns are really serious.

“Exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays increases skin cancer risk, which can be dangerous and even deadly. Suffering one or more blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing potentially-deadly melanoma later in life.”- SkinCancer.org

Quick! I’m at the store, should I buy it?

If you’re already buying sunscreen, yes. But remember, sunscreen lotion should be the last step to sun protection! #1 being clothing and #2 being finding shade. Learn more about sun protection from EWG.

Is it reef safe?Acure claims this lotion is reef safe. It is free of: oxybenzone, butylparaben, octinoxate and 4-methylbenzylidine camphor; which are known to damage reefs.

Active Ingredient:

Non-nano uncoated Zinc Oxide 20%: A mineral used as a colorant, bulking agent, skin protectant in cosmetics, sunscreens, and diaper creams. When used as a sunscreen, zinc oxide acts as a physical barrier to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays. The FDA allows zinc oxide concentrations up to 25% in sunscreens. EWG rating 2-3 (depending on usage).

What about the non-nano part?

Non-nano means the size of the zinc oxide particles are large and you can expect the sunscreen to remain white on your skin. Nano particles are small and “rub in” easier and leave less white residue. However, they are less effective in protecting against UV rays. There is also little regulation in regards to what really meets the standard of size in “nano” particles at this time. Read more about nano particles in sunscreen here

Inactive Ingredients:

Helianthus Annuus (Sunower) Oil: Sunflower seed oil. EWG rating 1.

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil*: Oil from the Ricinus Communis plant. You may recognize castor oil as a household laxative but it is also a thickening agent used in many cosmetics. The FDA identifies castor oil as a natural flavor additive and laxative. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel concludes that castor oil is safe for use in cosmetics. Castor Oil has a EWG rating 2.